+343 It doesn't make sense that in America, people can go to the army and risk their lives before they can drink. amirite?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

not all states...

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yes, in some states there are exceptions regarding private consumption, but in all 50 states no person under the age of 21 can purchase alcohol or be served alcohol in a bar, restaurant, or club.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Oh I see. thanks.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Maybe because at the age of 18 MOST, not all, teenagers don't have the discretion to handle alcohol properly. I know so many kids, at the top of their class mind you, that do shitty things when they're drunk.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yes, because unlike in Europe, teenagers are not weened onto alcohol and taught how to drink in moderation.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

so basicley, theyre not responsible enough to get drunk because they might do something stupid when theyre drunk (obviously this is only a teenager thing, adults dont do stupid things when theyre drunk. nope.) but they are grown up enough to decide they can risk their lives

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I'm not saying that only teenagers do stupid things. You have misconstrued my statement. The fact is, though, teenagers are more prone to NOT think rationally about their actions. Not only do we have the tendency to believe we are invincible but we feel that nothing bad will happen to us. As for why they can handle the military and not alcohol, refer to shadowofsin. Although, one point I defer in is that joining the military does NOT mean being in a war.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

You know, people of any age can drink at an army base.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I have a feeling this is false, since I've been on base numerous times and have never been "allowed" to drink underage.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

You have to actually be a member of the armed forces. If you're an eighteen year old soldier on base, you can drink.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

That makes more sense than the general "ERRYBODY DRINKIN ON BASE!"

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Even though I agree with you on a moral/responsibility standard, the reason is because your brain isn't fully developed until 25 (thus being the age it SHOULD be required), but scientists have agreed on 21 being the utmost baseline that you should be allowed to consume alcohol. You don't need to be fully developed to go into war, you just need to know basic motor functions, and the ability to handle situations logically. An 18 year old can handle war physically, but can't physically handle alcohol. Still, I agree with you on a psychological sense. If they can handle war psychologically they can handle alcohol responsibly.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

This is the same reason they changed the voting age to 18 in the 26th amendment. People were fighting under the command of the president, but could not choose him.

by Anonymous 12 years ago